Be Inspired Award 2015 winner is Gary Lamb!

Gary Lamb, Gym Instructor at the Oval Centre was nominated and won the Inspiration of the Year Award 2015 on Friday night at the Cumbria Sports Awards.

Gary’s achievements have been noted by a wide range of people and Mike Muir, Chief Executive received a message from the High Sheriff of Cumbria, Sam Rayner, on Saturday:

“Hi Mike. Judy and I were at the Cumbria Sports Awards on Friday evening. It was an unexpected delight to meet up with Gary and his girlfriend and an even... bigger joy when he was presented with the 'Be Inspired Award'. You have made a big difference for him in his life (they read out most of his life history and Foyer got a mention) and he was so pleased to have been recognised for what is a great achievement in a relatively short space of time. It was also a good night for the general recognition of sporting achievements in Cumbria. Best wishes, Sam”

The Be Inspired Award recognizes a contribution to the legacy of the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games in Cumbria. This award was first awarded in 2009, and was originally named in memory of the late Cllr Brendan Jameson, who had Chaired the Cumbria 2012 Steering Group, and was a great advocate of the power that sport could play in improving people...’s lives. I’m also delighted to say that Brendan’s partner Julie Dawson is able to join us this evening.

The criteria for the award is simple, we are looking for the nomination that is contributing the most to the legacy of London 2012. The winner of this award will demonstrate that they are promoting the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect, and the Paralympic values of courage, determination, inspiration and equality.

The winner this year certainly shows these qualities in abundance. In September 2013, he found himself homeless, and moved into supported accommodation in Penrith, at the time he was undergoing lots of personal challenges, and life was tough, however, he was motivated to do something about the situation he found himself in, and wanted to change things around. He started to attend circuit training sessions at Eden Foyer in Penrith, and quickly found he really enjoyed fitness. He took up volunteering in the gym, and later that year he undertook some intense fitness training funded by the Foyer Foundation and Cumbria Youth Alliance, which resulted in him achieving a Level 3 Fitness Instructor qualification.

With his new found confidence, he then decided to spread his wings, and successfully applied for the job of fitness instructor at The Oval Centre in Workington, another massive change in his life, but one he has grasped with both hands. Since our winner moved to Workington, the gym has gone from strength to strength, with over 100 new members, all inspired by his enthusiasm and commitment to his work. The gym has also purchased new equipment to cope with the additional demand.

His manager at the gym said “he has changed the ethos of our gym, so whatever the ability, age or confidence, people feel like they can achieve”.

His story is not yet finished, and he continues to engage more and more people young and old to be more physically active through his work. He epitomizes the Olympic and Paralympic values. Well done Gary!
 

Message from Gary Lamb on Saturday;
“I went along to Cumbria Sports Awards last night at Windermere as I was nominated for an award. I didn't quite know what it was all about as it all came as a surprise to me , I had a lovely evening and a lovely 3 course meal to go along with it . As the night progressed and people were being handed awards I was sat taking it all in, then the next minute I find out that I was nominated for the Inspiration of the year award 2015. I was even more shocked that I actually won the award and can honestly say I am over the moon and really happy with the outcome! Thanks to everyone who has supported me throughout the past few years to achieve my goals!”

Well done Gary, a very well deserved award!